I submitted my application in February for four days in the Core Enchantments either in late September or early October. To my surprise, I was granted a permit for 10/5 to 10/8. Woo hoo!

I first started at Snow Lake trailhead at 1375 feet at 9:00 AM. It was a long climb of 5500 feet and more than 9 hours of hiking, but I was finally at the Core Enhantments and at my camp site at Leprechaun Lake.

Weather was great! Anyway, I'll let the pictures do the talking. Enjoy!

No snow. It was freezing on the first night, but the next 2 subsequent nights were quite warm (I checked at 38 degrees). The larches were at their peak, so I'm hoping it holds up when you go there next week. Have fun!

To make it extra "magical", there are two sets of names up there as well. The official USGS names are one set. A couple went up there (the Starks?) decades ago and named almost every little pond and outcrop with a much more fantasy-themed pen. The place really is amazing and the Stark names seem to fit. I've seen a few maps (and made one myself) that have both sets so it's not so confusing. It's still confusing :)

It is correct that pretty much every feature in the Enchantments was named by Peg and Bill Stark and there children during the 40's and 50's. Bill Stark was involved in Sylvester's initial explorations of the area and went on to explore all of both basins in great detail. Bill created a topographical map with the mythological place-names that was sold in Leavenworth alongside the official map until about ten years ago. The Cascade Alpine Guide, volume II by Fred Becky still uses the Stark's names for lakes and features.

I don't recall what the forest service's reasons were for changing the names of some of the lakes. Personally I much prefer, and continue to use, the original names. Of course Peg and Bill were my grandparents so I am probably obligated to have that opinion.

In answer to why they are called the "Enchantments," all of the original non-aboriginal explorers of the area hold to the notion that if you spend much time there you will certainly see magic, an opinion also held by the wilderness ranger who worked there during the 80's and 90's as well as the crew that built the trail up through the Snow Lakes in the 70's (all of whom I know fairly well) I'd say that's been my experience as well.

There is anecdotal evidence that a yearly back-packing trip there supports he health and longevity of a marriage, my grandparents went there every year for over 40 years. I usually make it in for golden week, but I missed it this year due to an injury. I'm planning to ski-through this winter.